I always love reading novels that centre around family dynamics and it’s actually one of the types of books that I look for the most. Gone are the days where I want to read about unrequited love all of the time; I want to read about families and the troubles or happiness that they go through. All the Ways the World Can End is one of those books.

Lenny (short for Eleanor) feels like the world is about to end. Her best friend is moving to New York City to attend Julliard and her dad has terminal cancer. To cope with her stress Lenny is making a list of all the ways the world can end—designer pathogens, blood moon prophecies, alien invasion—and stockpiling supplies in a bunker in the backyard. Then she starts to develop feelings for her dad’s very nice young doctor—and she thinks he may have feelings for her too. Spoiler alert: he doesn’t. But a more age-appropriate love interest might. In a time of complete uncertainty, one thing’s for sure: Lenny’s about to see how everything is ending and beginning. All at the same time.

The best thing about this book was the last 10/20 pages because that’s where the raw emotion was and I feel like that’s where the writing was at it’s best. The rest of the book just didn’t really do it for me.

I thought that the characters fell flat, the plot just wasn’t that prominent throughout the entire book which was a massive shame. The book centres around Lenny dealing with her father’s cancer but most of the book was just her pining after her dad’s doctor which I didn’t find funny or a good plot point at all.

“I’m too hurt to hurt more.”

– Abby Sher, All the Ways the World Can End

Another thing is that I had no motivation to read it. Normally, I can read a contemporary in a few hours (even if it’s a 3-star book). But with this one, it took me a handful of DAYS, which is another way I know that I didn’t enjoy reading it. Reading a book shouldn’t feel like a chore, but reading this really did feel like it. I actually wanted to DNF it at about 25% but decided against it and I thought I would see what the rest of the book is like. I’m glad I’ve finished it, but part of me thinks that I could have read a book that I know I would love during that time. Oh well… At least I can say that I’ve read it.

I know this seems like a very ranty review and very negative, but I genuinely can’t think of a positive thing. There’s actually one more thing that really annoyed me about this book. Lenny has a gay best friend. Who is sidelined. No. Sorry but I am SICK of the gay best friend trope who is just there so the author can say ‘I’VE INCLUDED A DIVERSE CHARACTER’. No honey, you just placed him in the book. He’s hardly in it because he is pushed to the side whilst the main character chases after her stupid romantic fantasy about her dad’s doctor. UGH.

Have you read it? What did you think because I’m honestly interested if I’m the only one who thinks this about the book?

Disclaimer: this book was sent to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Released 27th July